Since we had one for Animated, I figured that one would work for Prime as well. Discuss each episode here, as they continue to air on the Hub.

By now, we're up to episode 3 with 4 airing tonight. Here's my thoughts on "Darkness Rising, Part 3":

Okay, I officially like these kids. They're doing exactly what one would expect human kids partnered with TFs would do: use them to fullest potential in leisure activity. They provide the perfect friendly contrast to the show's overall gritty and grim feeling.

Ratchet refers to Dark Energon as being scare in existence. Not in regards to its existence on Earth, but in general. Yet the game/book had an abundance of Dark Energon all across Cybertron.

I love how the Cons have an aerial headquarters this time. It really feels like they're more sophistcated in this series than in previous series.

Once again, Soundwave plays back voice recordings. I'm starting to think he won't get an actual voice of his own anytime soon.

Agent Fowler is stern, but he's much more likeable than Director Galloway. You can tell that he truly does care about the security of the world and doesn't fully trust the Autobots only because of this concern.

We see Soundwave launch a Deployer from his chest. It's some kind of flying figure that unfolds from his chestplate like the Breastforce from Victory. I won't say that it's Laserbeak/Buzzsaw/Ratbat/etc. just yet, as it looks more like a non-sentient homing object or a drone instead of an actual bot.

Okay, Fowler just earned a lot more awesome points as he actually tries to shoot down Soundwave's Deployer, and talks smack at Starscream while captured.

Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'

Sabrblade wrote:Okay, I officially like these kids. They're doing exactly what one would expect human kids partnered with TFs would do: use them to fullest potential in leisure activity. They provide the perfect friendly contrast to the show's overall gritty and grim feeling.

I don't mind them, especially compared to some of the other kids we've seen in the past (I'm looking at you, Cybertron Trilogy). Jack is honestly pretty cool, and I do like Miko, once I can get past her voice. Honestly, I can kinda identify with her. I like to think that I would have the whole "SWEET. GIANT ROBOTS." mentality in her place.Raf, though... oh, Raf. Let me just say this-- if a twelve year old kid can hack into government security systems to track down our agents, I fear for national security.

Sabrblade wrote:Ratchet refers to Dark Energon as being scare in existence. Not in regards to its existence on Earth, but in general. Yet the game/book had an abundance of Dark Energon all across Cybertron.

I've been interpreting this as "scarce anywhere other than Cybertron." I haven't read the book, but in the game it seems like it was pretty scarce even ON Cybertron and had to be specially mined before Megatron got his hands on it and started spreading it all over the place.

Sabrblade wrote:Okay, Fowler just earned a lot more awesome points as he actually tries to shoot down Soundwave's Deployer, and talks smack at Starscream while captured.

Yes. Very much so. This is especially awesome considering how horribly terrifying Starscream is this time around. The things he says, the way he talks, the way he stands, everything about him gives me shivers... and Fowler asks to talk to the "manager." That takes serious ba bearings.I'm wondering exactly what's going to happen there-- is the Dark Energon just meant to cause him pain, or could it somehow mutate Fowler as it does with mechanical objects? Guess we'll find out tonight.

I lost a little bit of respect for Arcee during this episode. So she's not only going to defy Optimus Prime's direct order, but she's going to drag Bumblebee into it too? I bet she feels like an idiot now, with Bulkhead and three children storming the Decepticon base alone. Just a little bit of respect, though. She’s still amazing.

I like how we got to see more of Bulkhead in this episode. Arcee kinda hogged the spotlight in the last few, so it was nice to see someone else get some characterization. I’m dreading a Bumblebee-centered episode, though. Dialogue is a big part of characterization, and that is something Wall-E-Bee is sadly lacking.

I want more Decepticons. As much as I love the big three we have right now (if you can even count Soundwave… man, I wish he had a voice), I would love to see more named Cons. IMDB says that Adam Baldwin, the Hero of Canton, is voicing Breakdown. Do want.

I'm really liking this show. I've even managed to get my roommates into it, and they've never watched a Transformers show before.

Dorca wrote:Raf, though... oh, Raf. Let me just say this-- if a twelve year old kid can hack into government security systems to track down our agents, I fear for national security.

Well, I've seen the "super-intellect person" archetype done so many times that it doesn't really strike me as being abnormal in TV shows anymore. I mean, we've had Jimmy Neutron, Dexter in Dexter's Laboratory, Oracle in Batman media, Richie Foley/Gear in Static Shock, Chloe Sullivan in Smallville, etc. etc.

Dorca wrote:I've been interpreting this as "scarce anywhere other than Cybertron." I haven't read the book, but in the game it seems like it was pretty scarce even ON Cybertron and had to be specially mined before Megatron got his hands on it and started spreading it all over the place.

Yes, but once they started mass producing the stuff, Cybertron was abundant with Dark Energon in both the game and book, corrupting the entire planet.

And Ratchet expressed surprise to see it on Earth, which would indicate that it shouldn't even be on Earth. To call its supply "scarce" on Earth would imply that it's available on Earth at all, when Ratchet seems to think otherwise.

Dorca wrote:Yes. Very much so. This is especially awesome considering how horribly terrifying Starscream is this time around. The things he says, the way he talks, the way he stands, everything about him gives me shivers...

Dorca wrote:I lost a little bit of respect for Arcee during this episode. So she's not only going to defy Optimus Prime's direct order, but she's going to drag Bumblebee into it too? I bet she feels like an idiot now, with Bulkhead and three children storming the Decepticon base alone. Just a little bit of respect, though. She’s still amazing.

At least she kinda like the Second-in-Command this time around.

Dorca wrote:I want more Decepticons. As much as I love the big three we have right now (if you can even count Soundwave… man, I wish he had a voice), I would love to see more named Cons. IMDB says that Adam Baldwin, the Hero of Canton, is voicing Breakdown. Do want.

Breakdown (voiced by Adam Baldwin) and Knockout (voiced by Daran Norris) are the other two 'Cons stated to appear. Breakdown already showed up in the Prime graphic novel and boy did he look and act different from his WFC version. No word on who Knockout is or what he's like, though.

Last edited by Sabrblade on Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'

Arcee lost me when she got all 'swoony'. Yah, I know it was from the Dark-Energon contamination, but still, the whole 'fainting female' thing irks me.

The humans need to die. Fast. Painfully. I find Miko unwatchable. If she's supposed to be 'cute' and 'spunky', Orci and Kurtzman need to look those words up in the dictionary, because Miko is 'stupid', 'annoying' and 'obnoxious'. Plus, that accent? Yeah. Japanese exchange student? Not so much. That's bad California accent, at best.

Raf honks me off because he has...no real characterization. He's a maguffin/childprodigy. YAWN.

Jack's okay, in fact he's growing on me.

Starscream is...mrowrf. From the Cliffjumper slaughter in ep one to the delicious line in today's episode...he's fantastic. I love his character design.

Someone please tell the writers that if the Decepticons, esp the Eradicons, were really THAT crappy at aiming, the story really loses out. I find Megatron and Starscream to be good, scary villains, but I just can't feel any 'threat' from the Eradicons, even when they have the obnoxious kids cornered. They're such crap shots that it's just not scary. I mean, we couldn't even singe Raf's gimpy little sweatervest? I love the Eradicon designs and animation (like whoa) but they just...yeah. Need to be more badass.

This is the first continuity EVER that I not only didn't hate Ratchet, I actually kind of dig him. He's actually my favorite Autobot so far.

This show is absolutely fantastic! The cast is perfect so far, the voices are perfect (especially Megatron's), the dark energon thing is fresh and interesting (I didn't play WFC at all...), and it's got just enough originality and homages. The animation is also great, besides a few moments when the characters move really stiffly. The action is really incredible, the slomo punches, the lasers everywhere, the camerawork, Optimus vs. the army of undead, this show is super exciting. Also, I almost died when Megatron mentioned Unicron, maybe we'll actually see him!!!!

hellkitty wrote:Starscream is...mrowrf. From the Cliffjumper slaughter in ep one to the delicious line in today's episode...he's fantastic. I love his character design.

Which "delicious" line are we talking about? "My intentions were pure"? (I laughed.)

hellkitty wrote:This is the first continuity EVER that I not only didn't hate Ratchet, I actually kind of dig him. He's actually my favorite Autobot so far.

That's interesting, considering he seems to be a combination of several older Ratchets. I really like him this time around, but I usually like Ratchet... I have a thing for medics, I guess.

Sooooo tonight's episode was fantastic, I thought. It was like one long epic fight scene. I thought it was interesting when the kids were watching the Autobots fighting on the ship, and the camera angle went all wavy and shaky... I think I actually liked that effect. It struck me as somewhat realistic, like how it would be if we were really standing there trying to watch everything at once and avoid being killed at the same time.

Optimus Prime has some SERIOUS moves. You know, impaling a Zombicon, transforming his sword into a gun, and shooting another? This is good stuff. The whole hands-transforming-into-weapons gimmick is really working for me. Also, nice to see that Optimus isn't hesitating to shoot at Megatron, even when he IS retreating.As for Ratchet, though, I think it's curious that it took him a while to get into the action. Does he have no ranged weapons? Sure, he's just a medic, but when you only have five or six people on your team, you'd think everyone would be pretty well equipped.

I love how even when Starscream is outnumbered 3 to 1, he still thinks he has the upper hand. Shooting his thrusters into Arcee's face was a nice "frag you" exit, too.

Very smart thinking on Bulkhead's part to slide Miko forward under the enemies' legs to avoid laser fire.

Eradicons speak yet again.

Optimus having arm swords (like his Movie counterpart) is still cool, but also kinda starting to get over done. Originality can be a good thing every once in a while.

They are really showing the severity of this war with the humans watching the battle from a perspective that shows that they could be easily killed at any point in the fight.

Onboard the Cons' warship, Raf is acting in probably the most realistic way a human child should be acting in such a situation: scared, distressed, and doubtful of his survival.

What was that stuff Fowler said right before Bumblebee fired at Starscream to break the stalemate?

SLAG, YEAH! Starscream fired his thruster Arcee to blast her right after he transformed. I am LOVING this creative use of transformation offenses and manuveurs.

Look a that! Useful human sidekicks (in that they got a snapshot of Megatron's plans), and it's only episode 4.

Welker's starting to sound closer and closer to his G1 Megs voice in this episode.

So, Jack (age 16) and Raf (age 12 1/4) attend the same school? Are there that many grades in it, or did Raf skip a grades or two?

I smell a Jack/Miko shipping. Though, if it comes to fruition, hopefully it'll turn out better than those that went nowhere (i.e. - Rad/Alexis, Kicker/Misha, etc.).

Megs wants to build a space bridge. Okay. But the Cons already ahve one on Cybertron, as seen in the TF: Prime graphic novel. Mybe he needs an Earth-based one for back-and-forth travel, as the one Arcee, Cliff, and Screamer used in the comic to get to Earth seemed more like a one-way trip.

And, Megatron wants to use Dark Energon on Cybertron to resurrect an army of undead soldiers. One probelm with that. When Dark Energon was used on Cybertron before, IT DID NOT DO THAT! What is up with this Dark Energon? It's effects in this show are in complete disagreement with both Exodus and WFC.

That's Tania Gunadi's real voice, and she's Indonesian-born. And I don't mind her voice that much because I became familiar with her from seeing her on Aaron Stone. She wasn't bad there and she's not bad (but definitely not "great") here either. Granted, she's probably my least-favorite of the three, but I'll take her over the likes of Kicker, Alexis, Bud, and The Headmasters Daniel anyday.

Last edited by Sabrblade on Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'

Dorca wrote:I'm wondering exactly what's going to happen there-- is the Dark Energon just meant to cause him pain, or could it somehow mutate Fowler as it does with mechanical objects? Guess we'll find out tonight.

I'm pretty sure the "prod" (made me giggle a bit there) was just "energon" neat, no Dark chaser. That said, I guess we learned there will be no Red bull/Energon on the market anytime soon.

Motto:"We Live for the One, We Die for the One, But we dont Die Stupidly."

Weapon: Twin Swords

I love Prime and the kids are enjoyable some of the best Human Characters ever in a TF series. From Miko and Jack it is hard to pick out my fave between them if i did pick one it would be Miko.

I like how Prime is diffrent I love the CGI animation style the look and the background animation all melds together in a neatly done package.

I like how Prime is alot darker than previous series and has a strong story and likeable characters and draws you into Prime wanting you to have more of it. It keeps you glued to the screen waiting to see what happens next.

This is a really well done mult-part episode I love this dark energon story line and how it has connections to WFC but also it is connected to other stuff in the TF Universe also it can be for new people or old such as myself being a G1 original.

I cant wait to see how this 5 prt ends this friday seems Megatron is headed towards Cybertron wonder if Breakdown or Knockout will show up.

I say Jack will return he will learn he is needed with the Autobots right now he is just in a funk trying to find out were he belongs.

This is one awesome series I love it I cant wait to Feburary to see it continue so I guess I will watch V in Jan to kill time while I wait on Prime to return.

About the Dark Energon, I really wish they'd give us a reason as to why this Dark Energon acts so wildly different from the game and book. I mean, it did seem kinda similar when Megs put it in himself here, but the game and book did not have it reviving anyone who died.

In fact, the book specifially showed that whoever was nearest to a soldier who died got that bot's Dark Energon. Instead of reviving to dead bot, the Dark Energon left him to join up with a new host. Whereas this new Dark Energon thrives on dead bodies instead of abandoning them.

Now I know that this could be a new variation of the stuff (like how it's been specualted as such before), but it would nice if they could TELL us that.

Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'

Motto:"We Live for the One, We Die for the One, But we dont Die Stupidly."

Weapon: Twin Swords

You people have to remember when things are brought to one medium to the next they arent always going to be the same as they are twisted into something new like the cartoons to the movieverse and now to Prime.

While both uses plot devices from various transformers sources they are made diffrently and used diffrently.

Such as the Matrix in the movie-verse and now Dark Energon in Prime and how diffrent it was from WFC.

If you also remember the Eradicons are also from WFC as the drones we fought against waging war across Cybertron.

Things are always diffrent but are still the same in some sense but are used diffrently such as the Matrix in the movie-verse.

I welcome change as long as it is done right such as Dark Energon in Prime I welcome it cause it gives the story a plot device wanting to know if it is connected to a larger picture will Unicron show up later on in Prime.

If he does he will head towards Earth sense Cybertron is a dead husk now.

Sabrblade wrote:In fact, the book specifially showed that whoever was nearest to a soldier who died got that bot's Dark Energon. Instead of reviving to dead bot, the Dark Energon left him to join up with a new host. Whereas this new Dark Energon thrives on dead bodies instead of abandoning them.

Now I know that this could be a new variation of the stuff (like how it's been specualted as such before), but it would nice if they could TELL us that.

Well, we still have one more episode. It could happen.

Probably won't, but Prime and WFC are separated by enough in my mind that it's not actually bothering me.

Also, being the maniac that he is, I think it's conceivable that Megatron can manipulate the Dark Energon to meet his needs. He did it all the time in War For Cybertron.

MagnusRex wrote:You're all making me want to go out and buy War for Cybertron now.

I just watched part of episode 4. Transformers Prime has answered the most important, undying question in Transformers history. What happens to humans when they get stuck inside of a TF when they transform? Holy hell.

I just wanted to say that after watching all five episodes... I can't friggin' wait until february. I love almost everything about this cartoon; the animation style, the voice acting, the characters(except for bee and soundwave not talking), Optimus kicking some zombot rear end. Even my wife is enjoying it, "it's a cool show". Can't wait to see more bots.

My only big complaint is that I don't see how these character models could be translated into toys without being kibble-ridden deformities.

With the army of the undead having come so close to the Space Bridge before it detonated, what's to become of them, since they were apparently off of the Cybertron when that happened?

Starscream's eulogy over Megs' "death" hearkens back to a similar seen in Animated.

Ratchet: "And Megatron?"Optimus: "Not even HE could have survived Ground Zero." - I beg to differ. This wouldn't be the first time a Megatron/Galvatron has survived such an explosion. G1 Galvatron survived Cybertron's destruction at Ground Zero too. And that was an even BIGGER explosion.

Why must Optimus deliver a speech at the end that pretty much rips off the movie speeches? Couldn't this Prime avoid that cliche?

But overall, this was a very cool episode and mini-series as a whole. Of all the humans, Raf was the most useful, Miko was the most enthusiastic, and Jack was... just... kinda there. Don't get me wrong, he was good, just not that special. I liked that Soundwave got more involved in this episode, but I wish he had done more before now. It was ironic that Bumblebee got almost no time in the spotlight, when he's technically the kid-appeal character. Starscream is sinister, but Megatron seemed... typical. Like Jack, he didn't seem all that special, as he was pretty much the one-dimensional evil villain that his G1 self was. Same goes for Optimus. Optimus was his Movie self's twin brother, without anything special about him to make him stand out from the other Optimuses of the past. I did like how Arcee and Bulkhead got a good amount of screen time, as it's these kinds of characters who usually get overshadowed by the more popular bots. Sadly, Cliffjumper did not follow in suit. He was killed off too early, but at least we got to know about him more in the graphic novel. And the Eradicons are pretty much beautiful Stormtroopers. The look cool and powerful, but they need to take a step up from the Principle of Evil Marksmanship. Still, this was a very good and enjoyable event. Do I think it was as good as or better than Animated's three-part opener? Not exactly, but it definitely has potential. Is it as good as or better than the live action movies? In a word, yes. Two episodes in and it practically killed ROTF. Could it be the next Beast Wars? Maybe, it's not there yet and has a long way to go to get there. Does it hold up well with the Exodus novel and the War for Cybertron games? Difficult to say, as its connection with them is sketchy at best. Final verdict, I give this mini-series a solid 8/10. it ain't perfect, but it's pretty darn good.

Last edited by Sabrblade on Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'

SlyTF1 wrote:I just watched part of episode 4. Transformers Prime has answered the most important, undying question in Transformers history. What happens to humans when they get stuck inside of a TF when they transform? Holy hell.

And how does Bulkhead not notice? She puked in him! D:

SO guys, Part Five! The finale! What did y'all think?

They really loaded it up with the quotes in this one. I caught "light our darkest hour," "one shall stand, one shall fall," and Optimus Prime's speech at the end was certainly familiar.

Soundwave got to show some of his skills in this one. He's definitely clever. Not digging his tentacles, but that's just because they're tentacles. I can't say they weren't practical.

Still loving Arcee, still loving all the fight scenes.

Starscream is not doing a thing to make me love him any less. Ditching Megatron? Good job, Screamer. We're proud of you. Of course, we all know that Megatron must have survived that. He's not going to be happy when he comes back, though... and that means Starscream isn't going to be happy.

Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'

Well, whats to say that hasn't been said already? The series is excellent. Perfect?.. No. But lets be honest,... What franchise of TF is. Defiantly my favorite of all the animated series we've had. (well, i guess they've all been animated). Bulkhead is easily my favorite of the Autobots. Big, strong, and tough as nails. Love his alt mode too. I like how he has some sense in this series and isn't just a walking brick wall like in Animated.

Sabrblade wrote: Why must Optimus deliver a speech at the end that pretty much rips off the movie speeches? Couldn't this Prime avoid that cliche?

.

Actually, this was the icing on the cake for me. I felt it topped off the final episode of the mini series perfect...

"Though we did not choose to be of Earth,... it would seem we are here to stay.If you approach this planet with hostile intent,... know this....We will defend ourselves...We will defend humanity...We will defend.. Our home!"

Decepticons... Com in get yo ice cream!.... And then get yo ass whop'in!!

Suck my popsicle!! :p

Shadowman wrote:I will put forth the theory that it was the internet itself trying to punch him in the face.

first i would like to say hello to all and glad i joined this site and after watching the 5 part mini series of Transformers Prime i gotta say i absolutely love it and can not wait till feb 2011. Thus being a Generation 1 fan i am glad to see Peter Cullen and Frank Welker as the voices of optimus prime and megatron. As for starscream i like this version alot instead the bumbling idiot he use to be. Soundwave is just awesome but i wish he would have his voice from like the live movie and i hope they would be bringing in more transformers to the show instead of the ones they have now. As for the humans i love this shows version thats all i gotta say and cant wait till more to come. One shall stand one shall fall.

SlyTF1 wrote:I just watched part of episode 4. Transformers Prime has answered the most important, undying question in Transformers history. What happens to humans when they get stuck inside of a TF when they transform? Holy hell.

And how does Bulkhead not notice? She puked in him! D:

SO guys, Part Five! The finale! What did y'all think?

They really loaded it up with the quotes in this one. I caught "light our darkest hour," "one shall stand, one shall fall," and Optimus Prime's speech at the end was certainly familiar.

Soundwave got to show some of his skills in this one. He's definitely clever. Not digging his tentacles, but that's just because they're tentacles. I can't say they weren't practical.

Still loving Arcee, still loving all the fight scenes.

Starscream is not doing a thing to make me love him any less. Ditching Megatron? Good job, Screamer. We're proud of you. Of course, we all know that Megatron must have survived that. He's not going to be happy when he comes back, though... and that means Starscream isn't going to be happy.

For the meantime, though...All hail Starscream, indeed!

The 5th episodes out? Guess I'll see it tomorrow, then. I don't have the channels.

I still think Animated Megatron and Starscream both where more brutal villains though. Because Megatron actually tried to KILL Starscream. Here he just smacks him around, which looked more painful, but every episode of Animated in Season 2 where Megatron was near Starscream, he tried to kill him. He blew him to pieces, but he still survived (because of the Allspark). I want to see more of that in this series. Megatron VS Starscream! Fight to the death!